Blog Posts by Elizabeth Hollman

Disney World Arrival & Departure Day Tips

4/15/2026 • Tips, Walt Disney World • How to Make the Most of Your Arrival & Departure Days at Disney World When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, most travelers focus on their park days—but your arrival and departure days at Disney World can be just as magical. With the right planning, these “in-between” days can add extra fun and relaxation to your trip without feeling rushed. At Me and The Mouse Travel, we specialize in custom Disney vacation planning, helping families make the most of every moment—from arrival to departure. Plan Your Disney World Arrival Day Your arrival day at Disney World sets the tone for your entire vacation. How you plan it depends on your flight times and energy level: Early Arrival: Jump Right In If you arrive early, you can start the fun immediately: Visit a park for a few rides or shows Book a character dining experience to kick off your trip Spend […]

Traveling on a Budget to Disney and Universal!

2/25/2026 • Tips, Universal Studios Orlando, Walt Disney World • Planning on a Budget — Disney & Universal Tips That Save Thousands Let’s bust a myth right now: You do not have to spend a fortune to take your family to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort. As a travel advisor, one of the biggest things I hear is, “We’d love to go… but it’s just too expensive.” The truth? With the right strategy, planning timeline, and ticketing approach, a magical vacation can absolutely fit into your budget. Here’s how to plan a budget-friendly Disney or Universal vacation without sacrificing the magic. 1. Start With a Clear Vacation Plan Scrolling social media can make you feel like you have to do it all — deluxe resorts, Park Hopper tickets every day, VIP tours, character dining every night. Social media makes it look like you need: Deluxe resorts Park Hopper tickets every day VIP tours Character dining You don’t. Traveling […]

Your Rainy Day Survival Guide at Epic Universe!

2/13/2026 • Universal Studios Orlando • How to make the most of your day at Epic Universe in the rain! 1. Know Which Rides Stay Open These attractions remain operational—even in rain (except during thunderstorms): *Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (Dark Universe) *Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (Super Nintendo World) *Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (Ministry of Magic) *Constellation Carousel (Celestial Park) Plus, even if queues are mostly outdoors, Le Cirque Arcanus (Wizarding World) and The Untrainable Dragon show (Isle of Berk) usually operate with covered lines and indoor seating. You don’t want to miss these! 2. Pack Smart Rain Gear *Lightweight, compact ponchos (buy in advance—they’re cheaper and pack smaller) *Water-resistant shoes or covers, plus extra socks *Quick-dry clothing *Ziploc bags for electronics and essentials *Umbrella 3. Hit Outdoor Attractions FIRST! *Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Curse of the Werewolf, Mine-Cart Madness, Donkey Kong 4. Embrace Indoor Attractions & Entertainment *Use rainy periods to explore inside: *Dark Universe: Monster: Unchained, shops, Monster Makeup Experience […]

Disney Destiny Lounges

1/8/2026 • Blog, Cruises • One of the things I love most about Disney Cruise Line is how every space tells a story — and the Disney Destiny takes that to the next level. From stylish villain vibes to mystical Marvel touches and classic pirate fun, the lounges onboard give guests plenty of ways to relax and enjoy the ship between adventures. Here’s a quick look at three lounges you won’t want to miss. De Vil’s Piano Lounge – Chic, Dramatic, and Just a Little Wicked Inspired by Cruella de Vil, this piano lounge is all about bold style and personality. Located near the Grand Hall, De Vil’s features a sleek black-and-white design with pops of red and a statement piano that anchors the space. Live music brings the lounge to life in the evenings, making it a great spot to stop for a cocktail before or after dinner. As the night goes on, De […]

What is Epic Universe?

2/4/2025 • Blog, Universal Studios Orlando • Universal Orlando Resort is always at the forefront of thrilling experiences, and with the unveiling of their brand-new park, Epic Universe, it’s clear that they’re setting a new standard for immersive entertainment. Opening in 2025, this highly anticipated addition promises to be a game-changer for the theme park world, introducing cutting-edge technology, innovative attractions, and an entirely new level of storytelling. Epic Universe is Universal's fourth theme park at its Orlando Resort, and it’s set to completely transform the guest experience. With the park's introduction, visitors can expect new lands, blockbuster attractions, and plenty of surprises around every corner. The concept is centered around one core idea: expanding Universal’s immersive storytelling and bringing guests into new worlds with a level of detail and interactivity never seen before. Key Details About Epic Universe: • Opening Date: Grand Opening on May 22, 2025 • Location: Epic Universe will be located near Universal's […]

Dining at Maria and Enzo’s in Disney Springs

2/6/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • I had the pleasure of eating at Maria and Enzo's on my most recent trip to Walt Disney World. It’s located at The Landing at Disney Springs. The eclectic ambiance is inspired by an old abandoned 1930s airline terminal which is transformed into an elegant restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant, you are greeted with lots of Art Deco theming and old airline memorabilia that makes you feel like you are ready to board the next Pam Am flight overseas. The main part of the restaurant is a two-story rotunda and it’s absolutely beautiful. It boasts amazing murals showcasing where this airport would have flown and lots of destination posters of that time period. Now let’s get to my favorite part...the food! Maria and Enzo’s offer a huge menu featuring classic Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza, seafood, and more. We started with tomatoes and mozzarella for an appetizer. There is […]

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney World!

8/29/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World • The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a special experience offered at Disney theme parks, specifically designed for young children who want to be transformed into princesses or knights through a magical makeover. The experience is inspired by the Fairy Godmother's spell from "Cinderella." At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, young guests (ages 3-12) can choose from various packages that include different levels of pampering and transformation. These packages typically include hairstyling, makeup application, nail polish, and the option to select costumes resembling popular Disney princesses or characters. The experience is conducted by "Fairy Godmothers," and it provides kids with the opportunity to feel like they're stepping into their favorite fairy tales. During a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, children are treated like royalty as they receive a complete makeover that could include but not limited to: 1. Hairstyling: Skilled "Fairy Godmothers" work their magic to create elegant hairstyles, complete with tiaras […]

All Aboard Disney Wonder: Catalina Island

4/28/2023 • Blog, Cruises, Reviews • I had the pleasure of sailing on the Disney Wonder with my family and one of our ports of call was Catalina Island and it turned out to be one of my favorite stops on our cruise! Catalina Island feels like a private wonderland. The island is full of quaint shops, happy tourists, fun restaurants, and endless beauty. There are no stop lights, everyone walks everywhere, and the crime is super low. Catalina is 22 miles off the coast of Southern California and is known for its beautiful wildlife, scuba diving, ziplining, and offers a charming coastal town feel. It’s full of interesting facts too. The island is owned by the chewing gum king, William Wrigley who also owned the Chicago Cubs. He brought spring training to the island for over thirty years. Catalina is also home to the oldest golf course in Southern California, Avalon. More than 4,000 people […]

The BoardWalk Deli at Disney World

1/31/2023 • Blog, Walt Disney World • The BoardWalk Deli (formerly the BoardWalk Bakery) is located right on Cresent Lake near the Boardwalk Inn. This newly renovated quick service is inspired by the Northeast and offers a huge variety of sweet and savory treats from warm breads to hot and cold deli sandwiches, subs, and pastries galore. They also offer a large selection of premade salads, wraps, and sandwiches that you can grab and go. The Boardwalk Deli is known for their famous warm pastrami Ruben and their New Jersey inspired crumb cake and they look delicious! Seating is outside overlooking the beautiful lake. The BoardWalk Deli serves guests from 6:30AM to 11PM. Reservations are not accepted. If you are staying at the Boardwalk Inn, Beach or Yacht Club, I highly recommend popping over for a tasty treat and enjoy the scenery!

Epcot’s Crepe Restaurant: La Creperie de Paris

5/17/2022 • Blog, Walt Disney World • La Creperie de Paris is a new crepe restaurant in Epcot at the France Pavilion. It offers both sit-down reservations and a quick-service walk-up option. The inside offers a warm, earth-toned atmosphere with large wooden beams on the ceiling and cozy booths and tables for guests. The table service side has a wide menu that includes soups, salads, hard ciders, and of course… sweet and savory crepes! They also offer a prix fixe menu option that includes a soup or salad, one galette (main course), a hard cider (or soda/juice), and one dessert crepe. The quick-service side is a walk-up option and does have a limited menu that includes three savory crepes and four sweet crepes. Guests can also order ice cream and drinks as well. Overall, I had a lovely experience. After a long day at the parks, it was such a nice treat to sit down to a […]